Nigeria’s National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) has joined Innovative Medicines Access Programme (IMAP), following the signing of a Letter of Agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) in August 2026. The agreement was signed in the presence of programme implementation partners IDA Foundation and TC4A (Tech Care For All), opening participation to NICRAT and eligible facilities operating under its coordination.
Photograph of Virtual Signing Ceremony with NCDconnect / IDA Foundation, TechCare4All, NICRAT
A New Partnership to Improve Cancer Care Access
Nigeria continues to face a significant cancer burden, with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN, 2024) estimating 152,261 cancer cases and 90,725 cancer-related deaths annually. Breast, prostate and cervical cancers remain among the leading contributors to the national cancer burden.
In response to this burden, the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) was established to provide national leadership in cancer research, prevention, treatment and control, including strengthening cancer care systems, improving access to quality cancer services, and developing the oncology workforce.
Last year, IMAP was implemented across ten low and lower-middle income countries (L-LMICs). Throughout 2026, this work will continue with deeper implementation in existing markets and expansion to additional eligible L-LMICs. Priority activities will include earlier importation pathway mapping, expansion to new public, faith-based, and private facilities, and ensuring continuous supply to already engaged institutions.
The continued burden of cancer underscores the need for sustained investment in prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, access to essential oncology medicines, cancer financing, infrastructure and workforce development.
Expanding Access to Immunotherapy in Nigeria
Immunotherapy has transformed outcomes across several cancers, but access remains limited in many African markets due to cost, supply constraints and the clinical infrastructure required to use these therapies safely.
IMAP is designed to help close this gap. Led by BMS, the programme makes immuno-oncology medicines available to patients in low- and middle-income countries at substantially reduced cost through a sustainable access model. BMS provides the medicines and programme framework, IDA Foundation manages quality-assured procurement and distribution, and TC4A supports in-country implementation.
What the Agreement Means for NICRAT and Participating Facilities
Through the agreement, NICRAT and participating facilities gain:
- Access to IMAP medicines through IDA Foundation’s procurement and distribution channel.
- Clinical capability building for oncology teams, including education on the appropriate and safe use of immunotherapies, in collaboration with programme partners such as the ATOM Coalition.
- Facility-level tracking and reporting, implemented by TC4A, to support NICRAT’s visibility on programme uptake, utilisation and patient reach.
Nigeria now joins several other African countries already participating in IMAP, with NICRAT leading national coordination of the programme.
Want to learn more about how NCDconnect supports equitable access to cancer treatments? Explore our solutions and partnership opportunities at NCDconnect.org
(Published September 17, 2026)